The International Maritime Organization (IMO) enters a crucial stretch this month as member states try again to agree global rules to cut greenhouse gas emissions from ships.
The calendar
- 23 November: the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships reconvenes for a week.
- 30 November to 4 December: the Marine Environment Protection Committee meets for its 85th session (MEPC 85).
The IMO is aiming for a possible resolution by the end of 2026, after the Net-Zero Framework failed to win adoption last year and was delayed.
Where the talks stand
At the last working group session in September, which drew around 1,200 participants, states remained split:
- The United States, Saudi Arabia and other oil producers want key elements dropped or other fuels and pathways added.
- A proposed fund to collect and distribute payments still faces strong opposition.
- Small island nations want tougher requirements.
- A Chinese proposal on reward payments drew broad support, and observers estimated at least two-thirds of states back a central pricing and collection system that rewards early movers.
Why Bangladesh should watch
Any global carbon price on shipping would feed into freight costs for trade-dependent countries like Bangladesh, while also shaping the market for greener ships and fuels. Bangladesh lost its seat on the IMO Council in the 2026-27 election.
Based on reporting by The Maritime Executive (September 2026) and The Maritime Executive on the IMO Council election.
Photo: Celsoazevedo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
